Nevertheless, for the 4 million ….

Nevertheless, for the 4 million people who receive these genuine EIP prepaid debit cards, the money can be a lifeline in the pandemic.

Here’s how it works.

The EIP card arrives in the mail in a white envelope, prominently displaying the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal and the note “Not a bill or an advertisement. Important information about your Economic Impact Payment.”

Along with the card are instructions on how to activate and use it. The money on the prepaid debit cards issued by the Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank, can be transferred to your bank account or you can get cash at an ATM. (Fees may be charged for using an ATM.) The cards can also be used to make purchases online or at retailers that accept Visa debit cards.

The IRS says the EIP card is secure and can be replaced if needed.

Don’t search the Internet for the number. Scammers sometimes set up fake customer service numbers to deceive people and take their personal information.

Don’t give your personal identification number (PIN), EIP debit card number or Social Security number to anyone who calls or texts you.

Check your mail carefully to avoid tossing your EIP card out with junk mail.

If you’ve destroyed or thrown out your EIP card, don’t worry. Call the toll-free customer service line at 800-240-8100 (TTY: 800-241-9100) to ask for a replacement. You can find additional information at the official EIP website.

This second round of Economic Impact Payments are part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 to millions of Americans.

As with the first round of payments under the CARES Act, most recipients received these payments by direct deposit.

Social Security and other beneficiaries who received the first round of payments via Direct Express received the second payment the same way.

Others got checks or, as indicated here, debit cards.

Authorized by the newly enacted COVID-relief legislation, the second round of payments, or “EIP 2,” is generally $600 for singles and $1,200 for married couples filing a joint return.

Payments are automatic for eligible taxpayers who filed a 2019 tax return; those who receive Social Security retirement, survivor or disability benefits (SSDI), Railroad Retirement benefits as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI); and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who didn’t file a tax return.

For more information about Economic Impact Payments and the 2020 Recovery Rebate, key information will be posted on IRS.gov/eip.

People can check the status of payments at IRS.gov/getmypayment.